Chapter Nine
“Zoey, I’m so glad you called. Brice wanted me to go into the office today and listen to one of the presentations he was preparing,” Lena said, as she slid into the limo.
“I don’t want to pull you away from work.”
“Are you kidding me? I think you should call me every day. I love your brother, but if I had to work with him every day, I think I’d lose my mind.”
“I couldn’t do one day, not to mention every day. I’m really glad you can come out with me. I need your advice.”
“That’s a change. No one comes to me. But I’m happy to listen. How can I help?”
Zoey didn’t know where to start. She couldn’t mention Bennett working for her, so Lena was only going to get part of the picture. “It’s Bennett.”
“He seems to truly like you.”
Yeah. For a former Marine, he’s one hell of an actor. “He’s... a real nice guy.”
“So what’s the issue? Not your brothers I hope,” Lena said, as she grabbed Zoey’s hand.
“No. Not my brothers for once. It’s just that I’m not very good at this dating stuff.”
“You’re not good? I’m married to your brother.”
Zoey wrinkled her nose with the agreement. “One problem. I’m just like them but in a woman’s body. Just as awkward and just as clueless.” And totally afraid of getting rejected and hurt. I’ve had a lifetime of that already.
Lena laughed. “That bad? Well, I hear admitting it is the first step to recovery.”
“So you don’t think it’s hopeless?” Zoey felt as though it was useless, but she wasn’t about to give up without at least trying. She wanted things to work out with Bennett and her. All she needed to do was figure out how to show him she was genuinely interested and not only as his client.
“Zoey, I saw you at the party. You were a bit stiff, but I understand why. Bringing someone home to meet the family is very stressful. But that’s over. You both survived it. That was the hardest part. Now all you have to do is relax and enjoy.”
Yes, we survived the first of many lies. I might not know much, but I know that isn’t a good way to start a relationship. “Relax and enjoy. You make that sound so easy.”
Lena gave Zoey’s hand a squeeze. “All relationships are work. Even the ones that look like they’ve got it all together still have their bumps in the road. Trust me. My parents have been married for ages. If you looked at them, you’d never think they argued. Of course they do, just like every couple, but what’s different about them is they’re willing to forgive and accept each other with all their imperfections. That’s the big secret to a good relationship. That’s if you’re looking for something serious. Is that what you want, Zoey? Something lasting with Bennett?”
She’d never given any thought to something more than the here and now. There was a strong attraction to him, and she felt happy when he was close. And she was happy at the truck stop too. It wasn’t a place she’d normally frequent, yet it felt easy and relaxed with him there. He was strong and confident, and it was hard not to be attracted to that. To him. But was that enough to build on? Or was it just an infatuation, and it’d be gone as quickly as it came?
“I’m not the kind of woman he’d want.”
“You mean beautiful, intelligent, and loving?” Lena asked.
I mean I’m insecure and broken. “We come from different worlds.”
“You are overthinking this. You can’t look at love logically. It’s a feeling that surpasses anything else. Men will fight and die for the woman they love. If you don’t believe that, look at your brother Dean. That’s a love that should be in a romance novel.”
“I’m still shocked he found someone to love him at all. Brice too, for that matter.”
“I’ll admit it isn’t easy. I had to risk opening myself up to Brice. Let him see the real me. The one I don’t show anyone else. He did the same. That’s what you’re going to need to do with Bennett. If you think he’s the one, then let him see the real Zoey.” Lena took a deep breath, carefully contemplating her next words. “Brice has shared some things with me. I can only imagine what it was like for you, the only girl growing up in that house. The right man will want to know, and he’ll try to understand. The hard part is going to be letting the words come out. Once you do, they’ll lose some of the power they hold over you,” she said earnestly.
No wonder Brice adores you. You really are the sweetest person I know. “What if he can’t... accept the real me?”
Lena put an arm around Zoey’s shoulder and pulled her in for a hug. “Then he isn’t the one for you. But you’ll never know if you don’t try.”
Zoey wanted so badly to be loved and accepted for who she truly was. What harm would it honestly do to tell Bennett about her reputation and how it all happened? The worst he could do was believe her father’s lies and not her. She was used to people assuming the worst of her. What difference did it make if Bennett joined that crowd? There is a major difference. I don’t care about what they think of me.
“Well, that’s why I asked you to go shopping with me. I need date clothes. I think you need to coach me on what to wear because you always look stunning. I look... feel like... a mannequin in a high-fashion store. I know I can put together outfits, but none of them are... what I’m looking for.” Zoey sighed. They’re not me. Just another façade of what I’m supposed to be.
“And what are we looking for today?”